Tooth and Gum Care

It's never too early to start taking care of your baby's future teeth. Here are some simple things you can do for her:

• Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle.
• Once a day, gently wipe her gums with a wet, clean soft cloth. Start doing this even before her teeth come in.
• Some babies show teeth as early as four or five months. Most babies show teeth between six and eight months.
• When her teeth begin to show, you may use a soft toothbrush for cleaning. Make sure it is baby-sized. Or you can continue to clean her teeth every day with a cloth.
• Gently brush her teeth with water only. Toothpaste is not needed until your baby is around three years old. She should be old enough to spit out the toothpaste after brushing, although you can use a non-fluoride toothpaste until that time.

These tips were adapted from the U.S. Department of Education.

View more Infant Parenting Tips.